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Don Davis

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Don Davis has been the Forum Communications Minnesota Capitol Bureau chief since 2001, covering state government and politics for two dozen newspapers in the state. Don also blogs at Capital Chatter on Areavoices.

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ST. PAUL — Mrs. Smith is going to Washington. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith will replace U.S. Sen. Al Franken once he resigns after eight sexual misconduct allegations. Smith plans to run in the 2018 election to fill out the final two years of Franken's term. Franken has not said just when he will step down. Last week, he said he would resign in "the coming weeks."

ST. PAUL — Minnesota's governor and soon-to-be lieutenant governor will sit down to discuss their relationship, and potential constitutional conflict, over pictures of their grandchildren. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Minnesota Senate President Michelle Fischbach, a Paynesville Republican, plan a Friday, Dec. 15, lunch at the governor's residence to discuss a rare relationship between a Democratic governor and Republican No. 2.

WASHINGTON — Al Franken was one of the most recognized U.S. senators from the day he took office in 2009, thanks to fame he gained on the "Saturday Night Live" television show, and this year his political capital rose even more with Democrats across the country promoting him as a 2020 presidential candidate. But eight women came forward in the past three weeks alleging that Franken sexually harassed them, collapsing what had become a successful political career.

PAUL — It took only minutes after the first sexual misconduct allegation was waged against Al Franken for speculation to begin about who would replace him in the U.S. Senate. That was back on Nov. 16, and the top prospect for Gov. Mark Dayton to replace Franken was Lt. Gov. Tina Smith. Other names were added in the next three weeks, but Smith's name continues to rise to the top as the governor says he has not yet decided.

ST. PAUL -- Al Franken apologized about how he treated women. "I've had some tough conversations this week," Franken said, adding that "it kills me" that Minnesotans could not count on him to champion women. "I'm sorry for that, because that's not who I am," Franken said.

ST. PAUL — Here are some key dates in U.S. Sen. Al Franken's sexual misconduct allegations: Nov. 16: Los Angeles radio host says Franken forced a kiss on her during a 2006 USO tour in the Middle East. She also posted online a photo showing Franken's hands above her breasts. Franken apologized for the photo, but said he did not remember the kiss incident like the radio host. The senator begins spending time out of the public eye with family, which lasted for about a week and a half.

The announcement will be carried on all Forum Communication websites. U.S. Sen. Al Franken will address the Senate at 10:45 a.m. Central time today with what many say will be his resignation after sexual misconduct allegations.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Al Franken's political friends want and expect him to resign. The Minnesota Democrat plans a Thursday, Dec. 7, announcement in Washington that many political leaders expect to produce his resignation as accusations of sexual misconduct multiply.

ST. PAUL — The economy remains strong, but a new report indicates Minnesotans should not be overly confident. The Tuesday, Dec. 5, budget forecast, which state leaders release twice a year, showed a $188 million deficit out of a $46 billion, two-year budget. The forecast was based on economic predictions that contained a lot of uncertainties. State leaders were happy with what the 73-page report said about the economy.

ST. PAUL — Tuesday, Dec. 5 is a big day, at least under the Minnesota Capitol dome. It actually will be big stuff for all Minnesotans, but they barely will notice. On Tuesday comes the first of two "budget forecasts" in the next few months. It may be a ho-hum moment for many, but the two announcements are key to how much money state officials will have available to spend for the rest of the current budget cycle.